Peugeot: High demand crimps supply of new 3008

PEUGEOT’s new 3008 SUV GT Line was introduced in the Philippines on Oct. 27, but already the brand’s distributor in the country announced the model will be available in “limited supply” until the year ends.

“It is a good problem to have and we definitely saw it coming,” said Glen P. Dasig, president of Peugeot Philippines. “We expected a high demand when the new 3008 SUV was released in Europe, and especially when it was awarded European Car of the Year earlier this year.”

To address this the company said it resorted to a move it has not done previously — a series of private preview programs for people who had expressed their intention to be one of the model’s first customers. Held over a week, each client was given a one-hour slot to view the new 3008 SUV before this was displayed at the showroom. The response, Peugeot said, was “positive.”

“We have already turned over most of the units from our first batch of shipment to both returning and new customers while the remaining units are already spoken for,” said Karen S. Carvajal, marketing director at Peugeot Philippines.

The company said the new 3008 SUV GT Line combines “style, athleticism and efficiency” as it “boasts of groundbreaking technology and design.” Mr. Dasig cited the car’s 1.6-liter, turbocharged gasoline engine as an example of Peugeot’s move toward improved efficiency while increasing power output.

“Turbo-charging has allowed [Peugeot] to create smaller engines that have better fuel consumption, more power and significant reductions in weight,” he said.

Complementing the 3008 SUV’s low displacement engine is a body that is 100 kilograms lighter compared to that of the model’s predecessor. This, Peugeot said, creates an “optimal power-to-weight ratio that puts the vehicle ahead of its competitors.”

“The vehicle is lighter yet is more agile and responsive than [the] previous-generation model. This further disproves the notion that higher-displacement engines are more suitable for SUVs,” Mr. Dasig said.

Peugeot said the 3008 SUV has an “ultra-modern” exterior marked by a wide checkered grille, signature LED head lamps and a long hood, as well as large wheels and a high ground clearance for which SUVs are known. The car’s black diamond roof appears it is floating because of chrome highlights.

Inside, the 3008 SUV is fitted with Peugeot’s next-generation iCockpit feature that, through a 12.3-inch instrument panel, integrates “advanced ergonomics, modern display panel and an interactive touch screen.” A Mirror Screen function compatible with Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink and Android Auto let smart phone operations be mirrored onto an 8.0-inch capacitive touch screen panel.

Meanwhile, debuting on the 3008 SUV is Peugeot’s Advanced Grip Control system that automatically adjusts the car’s driving dynamics based on three preselected road conditions: Mud, Sand and Snow. This, Peugeot said, is an “efficient alternative” to traditional off-road systems.

Prices for the new Peugeot 3008 SUV GT Line start at P2.590 million. Reservations are being accepted for the second batch of units, which are expected to arrive later this month.